Disclaimer – Everything either does belong to Joss or it should. I’m just borrowing his shiny ‘verse for a while.

The 21st Lancers belong to the British Army so I’m borrowing them too. I hope they don’t mind.

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“Do you really want a straight answer to that incredibly crass and puerile question or something that sounds deep, cryptic or just flat out crazy to help boost your undoubtedly falling ratings?”

River Tam – Cortex Interview – 2529AD

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INS Charybdis – Underway – 2521AD

Wash was the last to arrive at the table along with his own personal Marine escort who sat down nearby with his own dinner. Even after well over a week aboard everyone was still being shadowed whenever they went anywhere on Charybdis but the crew was still outwardly friendly nonetheless, if more than a little curious about the strangers. It had been the New Years celebrations only a couple of days before and everyone had made a monumental fuss of the children. Their presence had certainly helped in the business of gaining a decent measure of acceptance, its human nature to want to look after kids, it stops their parents deserting them even when they’re being a pain in the neck, and the obvious rapport between the rest of the crew and Steve and Jennifer’s brood was helping them get accepted too. ‘So where is everybody?’ Wash asked before spearing a chunk of protein with his fork.

‘The children were offered a proper tour of the boat by Captain Decker and Jennifer tagged along to watch them’ Inara answered. ‘I think she was worried that if John got loose on a ship this size they’d never be able to find him again’ she continued. ‘River and Simon are in the medical bay. He was carrying a pile of his notes when I last saw him and mumbling something about having to give a lecture to the medical staff. I suppose they want to find out as much as possible about River and Laura’s gifts and River is a touch less intransigent in answering questions.’

‘She answers all right it’s